Chapter 27

Arthur did his best to help out while on the ship. Before they'd left, Lukas had prepared him a host of pills to help out with the things going on with his body, and he started that morning. By the time the sun was setting, Arthur was fairly sure he could lift the ship itself out of the water and run to their destination. Ivan leaned against the captain's cabin, watching as Arthur asked what to do to help next, helping to coil ropes and set the sails. He may have been small, but even the sailors learned quickly that he was stronger than he looked, and since he learned quickly, they set him to work, not even realizing who he was. Ivan watched for an hour til Arthur stilled, running to the side of the ship and thinking maybe he'd seen something Ivan hadn't, someone falling overboard for example, Ivan ran to his side. "What's wrong?"

"Can't you hear it?" He asked as he stared. Arthur's eyes watched over the ocean, nothing before them except the occasional lights from land.

"I hear nothing." Ivan spoke softly, listening closely just in case. "What do you hear?"

"Crying." He spoke, looking intently. "A young girl... no, it's a boy." He listened closely. Arthur turned his head, trying to hear more clearly. "It seems like he's really far away. I don't understand. He seems so far away, but how can I hear him?" Arthur turned to Ivan, who looked down, wondering if the medications were causing hallucinations.

"Maybe it's best to sleep." Ivan softly laid a hand at his back.

"But the boy-"

"There is no boy." Ivan hushed him, pulling him to his side. "I hear the water." He listened. "I can hear the gulls, and the breeze." He turned his head, listening to the world around him. "I can hear the men of all three ships, but I don't hear anyone crying." Ivan cradled his cheek. "It's gotten late, and you worked hard today. Let's sleep, dorogoy."

Arthur, alarmed at the realization Ivan couldn't hear it just stared in surprise for a moment before nodding his head. He was carefully lead back to the captain's cabin, with the sofa he'd slept on before, but Ivan opened a door off to the side that Arthur hadn't noticed before. As he walked in he was surprised to find a large bedroom with a huge window overlooking the ocean. "How did I not see this before?" Arthur asked as he walked over, looking out of the window and Ivan smiled.

"I didn't sleep, save an occasional nap at my desk. That was a very... emotional journey for me, and I think my adrenaline kept me awake for most of the trip back." Ivan watched as Arthur nodded and stripped down before crawling onto the bed, Ivan right behind. Sleep met them quickly that night, curled up in each others arms.

The next morning Arthur was happy to find Ivan curled around him still, soft words tumbling from his lips in his sleep. Arthur closed his eyes and listened as the Russian met his ears, though he only understood some of the words. He heard Ivan's breaths start to alter and realized he was waking up. Arthur cuddled closer to him, wrapping his arms around to hold him close as Ivan stretched and yawned, his eyes slowly opening first to the warmth on his chest. Ivan smiled softly as he leaned down, offering a kiss. "Dobroe utpo, dorogoy." Ivan smiled as Arthur kissed him back.

"Morning, love." Arthur sat up and stretched before plopping back down, trapping Ivan's arm beneath his back. "Is it really morning already? Do we really have to get out of bed?"

"Why?" Ivan grinned. "You have something better planned?" He watched as Arthur stared before grinning and sat up, tossing one leg over Ivan's waist, straddling him.

"Always." Arthur grinned as he leaned down, kissing Ivan again, feeling a pressure from Ivan's sudden interest in the situation before a loud cheer was heard outside the window and both Ivan and Arthur looked, seeing the whole crew of the next ship in line staring, grins on their faces. Arthur slowly crawled back, hiding behind Ivan, who frowned at having his fun wake up ruined. He sat up and pressed his hand to the window, taking most of the light from the room, but Ivan knew they couldn't see in anymore.

"Arthur?" Ivan turned to see if he was alright to find him bright red, hiding his face.

"They all just saw me naked!" He shook in embarrassment and Ivan grasped him, pulling him to his lap.

"Then let's earn the embarrassment. They can't see you anymore, only I can." Ivan watched as Arthur turned to the window, noticing the lack of crew staring and the darker shade of the glass. Ivan flipped, pinning Arthur to the bed in surprise as Ivan grinned down at him. "Let's see if we can make them hear you yelling out my name." Ivan grinned as Arthur swallowed hard.

It was nearly two hours later they made their way to the top of the ship. Alfred, Gilbert and Francis congratulated him on a morning well wasted with grins on their faces as Arthur turned brighter and brighter red. "I got embarrassed when we realized the other ship could see, so to try and embarrass me more he decided to see if he could make them hear me instead." He grumbled as he tried to avoid the eyes of a few more snickering sailors.

"It's odd, from here, he was louder than you were." Alfred winked and Arthur's head shot up as he stared in surprise before noticing Francis nod.

"You two were definitely an interesting thing to wake up to this morning. Put our whole room in a mood." Francis grinned. "Merci, Arthur."

"Us too. The whole room woke up to panting and that was it. Didn't even realize who it was til after he started yelling your name." Alfred laughed out loud and Arthur sighed, feeling his embarrassment simmer down a little.

"He was... really yelling out my name like that?" Arthur asked, embarrassed, but a little surprised.

"Ja, it was intense!" Gilbert started his laughter and Arthur swallowed hard before heading back to the captain's quarters, grabbing Ivan's arm and dragging him back on the way, causing the three of them to burst into laughter when they noticed the tent in Arthur's pants. Just hearing about it turned him back on! They laughed, but started helping out the sailors, the same as Arthur did when he came back out, another hour later.

By the end of the week Arthur was more comfortable in Ivan's arms than anywhere else. The embarrassment of Ivan seeing him was gone, and no one on any of the three ships had any denial that Arthur was indeed Ivan's lover. (Though that was largely due to the fact they forgot to darken the window the third morning, and the sailors on the other ship had learned their lesson about yelling at the beginning and instead cheered at the end, causing Arthur to nearly have a heart attack.)

The last morning Arthur woke and listened, turning and crawled from the bed, slipping on a robe before he made his way on deck. "What's up, little master?" The second in command, a tall and serious man by the name of Berwald asked. He'd taken to calling Arthur that after realizing his relationship to the King.

"Don't you hear the crying?" Arthur asked, wondering if it was the same little boy as before.

Berwald perked up his ears and listened, hearing nothing. "I dun hear it, but that dun mean 't's not thur, Ja?" He spoke as he stepped closer to the banister.

"I heard the same crying the day we lef-" He stilled as words started. The boy was crying for his parents. "He's calling for his parents." Arthur frowned, listening as hard as he could.

"Ingrain the sound." Berwald spoke, his harsh tone sounding softer in comparison to the waves against the ship. "Make sure ye ne'er forget it. When ye hear someone cryin' fer ye, 't's thur heart callin' out te yers." he watched as Arthur nodded, wondering where he'd heard something like that before. "Can ye wake th' Cap'n? We'll be dockin' in an hour." He spoke as Arthur nodded and ran back into their quarters.

An hour later Arthur stared at the lush green hillside before his eyes widened. He looked, finding the same hills, the same houses he had been so familiar with. "Why are we here?" Arthur asked as Ivan turned down to him with a frown.

"It was calling you back. Maybe there was a reason, da?"

"Da." Arthur grasped Ivan's arm as they walked down to the dock below, the other ships behind looking over the landscape.

"This brings back memories." One of the sailors mentioned and Ivan narrowed his eyes, telling him quite effectively to shut up.

"Your Highness." The mayor bowed low before him. "What are you doing in such a little city like this?"

"One of my knights has been called here, sir." Ivan spoke and looked over to Arthur, who the man immediately recognized.

"This boy has lied to you, sir. He's no knight. He's a simple librarian. He's already caused trouble once after being taken off with. Arrest him!" The mayor called, pointing to Arthur as Ivan stepped forward.

"Clearly you misunderstood. I didn't say one of your knights, I knighted him myself, and have no interest in returning him here." Ivan glared down at the man, who stumbled back in fright.

"So, this is where you hail from." Gilbert looked around. "It's a little too... picturesque for my tastes." he grinned as Arthur nodded, but smiled.

"It's a hellhole decorated with pretty flowers. Don't use magic here, they'll try and execute you, no matter who you are. It's forbidden to do so." Arthur warned everyone and Ivan laughed when he realized Arthur didn't even know he was speaking Russian.

He had been since his second week.

"Arthur." Ivan spoke. "Maybe you should speak English?"

"I wasn't?" Arthur asked, in English this time.

"You've been speaking Russian since we met." Alfred grinned at him and Arthur nodded, a bit surprised. "You didn't even know, did ya?" Alfred laughed and Arthur noticed he seemed a native speaker.

"Your English is exemplary."

"Native tongue, dude! Russian was my third language!" he grinned as Ivan glanced over, a little surprised.

"What's the second?" He asked as Arthur noticed his accent was very thick.

"Chinese, but I'm not nearly as good at it. I only get to practice with Yao, no one else seems to know any." Alfred shrugged as they walked along.

After a bit Arthur stilled, looking at a building and Ivan turned, seeing it. "This is the library, Da?"

"Yes, the one I used to work in. It looks untouched." Arthur spoke as he walked up and opened the door, finding the desk empty. "Hello?" He called out as the oldest son of the butcher in town ran out from behind one of the shelves.

"He- Oh my god, you're back!" The stared, his eyes wide on Arthur.

"Yes, but only for a little bit. Have you found the historical or forbidden knowledge books yet?" Arthur asked as the man gently shook his head, stepping back. "Don't worry, I'm not going to bite. Here." he walked over to the counter and leaned over, seeing the board. "The board there, with the nail missing, they're underneath." He spoke as the man nodded, not a word passing his lip.

"Seems very... shy." Lovino raised an eyebrow at the man who just stared.

"I told you, I was ostracized here. They hated me and wanted me dead." Arthur sighed as the man behind the counter stepped away quietly. Arthur turned and walked off. He told him where it was, if he wasn't paying attention after that, it was his own fault. Arthur turned and walked away, surprised when Ivan reached down, grasping his hand. Arthur looked up and let a moment of relief wash over him.

It was just this place that didn't like him. It wasn't the whole world, just one, tiny little village.

There was a whole city who loved him now. He let a smile come back to his face as the next place they walked to, Arthur could only stare. Tears came to his eyes as he looked over the remains, his home burned to the ground. Signs marked the front of the building with words like 'Witch' and 'He called them here!'

'He deserved to die!'

"Wow, this must have been someone really bad." Alfred grumbled.

"It was my house." Arthur mumbled as he stared in shock. He knew they'd hated him, but it never really struck him to what degree.

Before another word was spoken, Ivan grabbed him and lifted Arthur, carrying him away. "Anywhere else you wish to go to?" Ivan asked, softly kissing Arthur's temple. Arthur turned, pressing his face to Ivan's chest, trying to hide his tears. As much as he said it didn't bother him, he was over it, it didn't matter anymore, it did hurt. He bought birthday presents for the boy who took over his library. He recognized the handwriting from the signs and knew each of them.

"There were roses left as well." Antonio smiled. "Someone liked you, two people, from the look of it."

Arthur turned and looked over Ivan's shoulder, seeing the roses and nodded, feeling at least a little less worn. "I want to go to the monastery. I want to see about the orphans." He spoke and Ivan nodded.

This one he knew the way to, at least. As they made their way to the church, Arthur sighed, feeling nostalgia wash over him. He knocked at the door and the woman within opened the door and saw him. "Who are you?" She asked and Arthur felt his heart still in his chest.

"It's me, Sister. It's Arthur Kirkland." He spoke, heartbroken as she unchained and tossed open the door, hugging him as hard as she could. Arthur felt his heart nearly break apart at the affection and hugged her back, soft tears turning to sobs as he hugged her.

"We thought you dead! I thought I was seeing things!" She cried as she hugged him, hearing his sobs she backed away to look him over. "You've grown..." She spoke as Arthur wiped his eyes.

"I guess I have." He looked, realizing he was now the same height as her. He was a good few centimeters shorter than her the day he was taken. "I'm not here for long, probably only the day, but I wanted to make sure everything here was alright. I was told all of the priests were dead."

"Ah, yes, those traitors were found a street over. That's what they deserve, abandoning the children like that." She sniffed and wiped at her eyes as she really looked him and his company over. "Looks like you're doing well for yourself."

"I'm a Knight of Russia, one of the Assassin's Squad, personal guards to the king. As it turns out, I'm very powerful." He chuckled as she allowed them in.

"So you discovered you're a magician, then?" She asked and Arthur nodded, surprised.

"How did you know?" He asked and she frowned.

"When you were a baby you kept turning your water into milk. When you were three, every food you touched turned into french fries and chicken for a week." She giggled. "I was born where magic wasn't frowned upon, so I thought it was cute, and told one of the priests. I was told you were sent from the devil after that." She sighed before her eyes widened. "Wait, are you going back to where there's magic?" She asked, her eyes wide and Arthur nodded.

"Yes, I only came back really to see you and Samanthe, as well as my house..." He sighed and she smiled.

"I have a few things that might be good for you to have back, and I do have one request." She asked as she stood and walked over to a doorway to the side, one Arthur knew was her personal bedroom. She walked in and came out with a small cart. "I grabbed a few books, as well as a few things that would remind me of you." She pulled the cart forward and Arthur looked it over, seeing the stuff he really had been most worried about.

Books, a satchel full of gemstones he had, as well as a locket that had been left when he was abandoned as a baby. He smiled as he lifted the locket and reached out, closing it in her hand. "As I'll probably never return, I'll probably never see you again. This means more as a memento of me than it actually means to me, so please, keep it and pray for me." He smiled as she nodded.

"My request, Arthur, Please, take Samanthe with you." She asked and Arthur stared, a bit surprised.

"Why should I take her away? This is the only home she knows!" He asked, surprised as the nun shook her head.

"She's a magician, like you were. Now that you're not here, she's becoming the one to face everyone's wrath. It would be safer for her to grow up where magic isn't considered a curse." The nun asked, a plea in her eyes as Arthur turned to Ivan.

"Could we? I don't want her to return to a burned home one day." Arthur asked and Ivan nodded.

"Of course, dorogoy. One little girl shouldn't be an issue." He chuckled as Arthur sighed in relief.

"Thank you." Arthur hugged him and the nun stared for a moment before smiling and shaking her head.

"You fell in love with the man who took you away, then?" She asked and Arthur burned red, but nodded.

"How did you know?" Arthur asked and the woman lifted a finger to her ear.

"I heard his voice that night." She spoke as she turned and ran up the stairs to collect the girl.

"So, it wasn't all children here that night?" Ivan watched as Arthur frowned.

"She was willing to fight with me, but in the last seconds I shoved her into the room. It was literally only her and the children, and that's no lie, love. I promise you." He chuckled as Ivan nodded, a light smile coming to his face.

"If it were someone like her, who honestly cares for these children, then I can't complain."

"She raised me as well." Arthur smiled and Yao and Ludwig turned to him surprised. "This is the building I was raised in. This was my home until I turned thirteen." He smiled as he looked affectionately over the walls, remembering days past.

Samanthe came down the stairs, nervous after hearing she was leaving town. She had honestly been half afraid she was off to her execution with the way the town had become lately, so when she got to the bottom of the stairs and looked up to find Arthur she broke down in tears. Arthur rushed over and lifted her, hugging her softly. "What's wrong, love?" He asked as she hugged him tighter.

"I thought they were going to kill me, like they did you! You're alive!" She cried. "Am I really leaving with you?" She asked and Arthur smiled, nodding.

"You are."

"Will you teach me to be a librarian, like you are?"

"No, even better. I'll teach you to become a magician." He grinned, seeing her eyes widen in wonder and amazement.

"You're really a magician? You'll really teach me?"

"I will." He grinned as she nodded. He put her down and they threw her stuff into the small wagon the nun had kept his belongings in. Arthur turned to the nun and gave her a final hug. "Goodbye, Sister. I hope your life is long and fulfilling. If you ever need anything, find a way to get a message to the King of Russia. Ivan will let me know." He smiled as she stilled, staring.

"The king? You must have become very important for such a person to even know your name." She smiled as Ivan chuckled.

"He is, I promise you that." Ivan reached out to shake her hand. As she took it he bowed. "I am Ivan Braginsky, the King of Russia. I would very much like to thank you for raising such a wonderful and kind man." He spoke and the nun nearly passed out, not having realized who he was.

"It's fine, your Highness." She whispered as he stood and turned, opening the door to lead the group from the house, Ludwig taking the cart, even though Arthur felt it should be his job. They walked back to the ships and as they came aboard, the mayor stood, nervously in wait. He eyed the girl at the groups side, but said nothing.

"I'd like to thank you for your visit today. I hope things were pleasant for you?" He spoke and Arthur turned, his eyes narrowed.

"You didn't have me anymore, so you filthy wankers started taking out your aggressions on a little girl. You're filth rubbish, you and this bloody city. Only one person I'm leaving behind deserves kindness, and it's certainly not you." Arthur grumbled as the group climbed onto the ship, Yao bringing the girl aboard, knowing Arthur's mouth could get him into trouble.

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

"Ivan, let's-" Arthur's eyes widened as he felt his head snap to the side. He turned looking at the mayor, his hand still in the air from the smack he delivered.

"How dare you address royalty that way!" He yelled and Ivan stepped forward, sliding his hand before Alfred.

"You realize he could break you in half without trying. This man who you felt familiar enough with to slap, is not only one of my Assassin's Squad knights, but also my lover." He noticed the mayor's eyes widen drastically as he stepped back. Ivan reached out, tapping him on the forehead and grinned as the man paled further.

"I'm so sorry." He fell to his knees, bowing at Arthur's feet. "Please forgive me, my lord!" He gasped out as Arthur stepped back, nearly deciding to kick him in the head, but instead turned to walk up the plank to the ship, Ivan following closely behind.